Joanna Trapp found adventure serving in France as a “Hello Girl” for the Army Signal Corps, but she still mourns her doughboy sweetheart killed in battle. Returning to Hot Springs, Arkansas, she takes a job as a switchboard operator at the Arlington Hotel and quickly discovers that after her experiences overseas, civilian life proves dull. Thomas Ballard still regrets he was medically ineligible to serve in the war and feels inferior to those who did, especially his war-hero brother, Gilbert. When Thomas finds himself attracted to Joanna, he strives to match her adventurous spirit, when all he really wants is to settle down, raise a family, and earn respect as a successful businessman. As romance blossoms, can two such different people learn to accept not only their own but each other's God-created individuality . . . or will love change them both?

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Editorial Reviews

Review

From a love lost ... to a love found, Every Tear a Memory is a powerful love story that will steal your sleep and nurture your soul, sweeping the reader from the tears of a turbulent war into tears of joy. ~~Julie Lessman, award-winning author of the Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series

Every Tear a Memory by Myra Johnson explores the time immediately after the First World War, when servicemen--and servicewomen--readjusted to their lives at home. The honest look at the effects of grief and mental illness elevate this story beyond a simple romance. But the romance also satisfies on a deep level, as Thomas and Joanna's relationship brings about mutual growth as well as tender kisses. A lovely story I highly recommend. ~~Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of On Distant Shores and In Perfect Time

Johnson crafts a beautiful love story about opening oneself up to love again and stepping out on faith in the face of an uncertain future. The title itself is so meaningful and encapsulates the essence of the story so well. With an adventurous and plucky heroine and a hero who's about to have his quiet world turned upside down, the romance is endearing and truly heart-tugging. Johnson does her historical background homework and it shows. This emotionally driven story will keep readers entertained until the final page. ~~ 4.5-star review bySusannah Balch, RT Book Reviews

About the Author

Although currently residing in scenic North Carolina, Myra Johnson proudly claims her heritage as a native Texan, and she sorely misses real Texas barbecue! Myra is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart, and winner of the 2014 Christian Retailing's Best Award for historical fiction. Myra and her husband have two bright, beautiful daughters, two mission-minded sons-in-law, and seven amazing grandchildren. The Johnsons share their home with a couple of very pampered rescue dogs. Visit Myra's website at MyraJohnson.com

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This was an extremely well-researched and well-written book. Characters were also very human, which made it possible to empathize with them. I've read nearly every book by Myra Johnson, and I think this is the best yet. I live close enough to Hot Springs (and have visited) to recognize authentic setting and culture. I was swept up the in the story, while appreciating the historical perspective. I'm looking forward to the next book by this author!

Myra Johnson provides a well written novel of romance and finding oneself in periods of change.

This is a Christian fiction piece by an accomplished author. As a amateur writer, I enjoy following how other writers put a story together. Storyline, characters, descriptions must flow together in a balanced way, and here they do.

The setting is post-WWI. The heroine returns home after the heightened experience of wartime France. It is definitely a bittersweet place for her, and she must find work and deal with family matters. On the opposite spectrum, is the man she meets. Stuck back in the US during the war, and living in the shadow of his brother, he strives to establish and make something of himself in the business world.Can two very different personalities find common ground to sustain a mutual attraction?

I like the period setting and the gentle flow and development of this story. It doesn't necessarily sweep one away, but still maintains one's interest. I have not read any other stories by Ms. Johnson, or in this series, but would read more of her work. "Every Tear a Memory" stands alone, and I had no trouble following the story. She includes a dicussion chapter and an excerpt from "When the Clouds Row By", the first in the 'TIll We Meet Again Series'.

Every Tear a Memory is the third novel in Myra Johnson's series Till We Meet Again and takes place about a year after the Great War ends. I'll say here and now it's my favorite of the three stories. Since reading the first book in the series, When the Clouds Roll By, I've had a desire for Thomas Ballard to experience a happy-ever-after. He seemed like such a lonely man.

Thomas manages the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The younger son of an overbearing society matron, he's content with his job, but his personal life lacks the type of happiness shared by others around him: marriage and a family. He believes he's second best to his brother, second best in his mother's eyes, and second best when attempting to enlist in the war. When he takes his future into his hands, grows a beard, and is told he looks like his father, he begins to see that:

Joanna Trapp has a reputation for adventure. She escaped her unhappy home life and spent several years in France. During the war, she was with the Signal Corps, fell in love, and lost her sweetheart to battle. She never planned to return to Hot Springs, but a family obligation drives her home. Joanna deals with what might be considered a form of survivor's guilt. It keeps her from giving up her lost love for a new one, no matter how attracted she is to Thomas, and affects her relationship with God.

This is a story of two people whose friendship and love help heal old wounds. In Every Tear a Memory, the story is deep, the characters sympathetic, the historical setting realistic, the conflict believable, and the ending satisfying. In fact, I highly recommend the whole series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book came to me free from the author and the publisher, Abingdon Press, with the hope that I would mention it on this blog. There was no requirement for me to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Joanna served as a switchboard operator with the signal corps in France. Now that the war is over, Joanna really doesn't want to go back home. She feels that there is nothing there for her, but a letter from her brother has caught up with her telling her that their mother has passed away and he needs her help with their younger sister, Lily.

Myra Johnson has undertaken to write about a new (for me) era of historical fiction--World War I. I don't know that I have read any of her works before, but I can guarantee this won't be the only book by her I will read.

Myra has developed a story around multi-dimensional characters who face many of the same problems we face today, and she put them in a most picturesque place--my home town, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The bulk of the story takes place at the Arlington Hotel--the height of luxury for the time. Joanna gladly takes a position as a switchboard operator at the Arlington, where she renews her friendship with Thomas Ballard, the manager of the Arlington. Because Joanna needs to be home during the day for Lily and Jack, their brother, she takes the night shift at the switchboard. Because Thomas wants to know Joanna better, he finds ways to hang around after his working hours are over.

Joanna's biggest problem is how to get through to Lily in a way to keep her out of trouble. She knows that she doesn't want Lily making the same mistakes she made as a teenager. The other issue Joanna has is how to get over the loss of her fiance' in France during the war.

I chose to read this book primarily because of its setting. The places mentioned are familiar to me because I grew up in the town. The Arlington is at the head of the main street of Hot Springs. Turn to the left, and you will pass the St Joseph Hospital where I was born (the building has since been torn town); turn to the right, and you will pass the Majestic--one of the other luxury hotels in town (it burned down last year, sadly). This is in one of the most beautiful areas of town.

The plot moves with an engaging pace, the characters are empathetic, the problems are believable, and the resolution is satisfying for the reader. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a trip down memory lane.